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Inflammation in and around female pelvic organs, especially the reproductive organs, usually results from an infection from bacteria that travel up from the vagina, cervix or uterus. This common type of infection should be taken seriously, as it can spread or linger and cause damage.

Pelvic inflammatory disease most often stems from a sexually transmitted disease (STD), but it can also result from an infection from other routes (including, an irritation or injury to the genitourinary system or, rarely, an abdominal infection from an intrauterine device, miscarriage, abortion, childbirth or pelvic surgical procedure.) Thus, “pelvic inflammatory disease” is a general term encompassing inflammation of the uterus, fallopian tubes or ovaries, and nearby tissues and organs, due most often to bacterial infection (but sometimes also, or preceded by, viral, fungal or parasitic infection.)

Patients with signs of an internal gynecologic infection should seek care immediately to prevent damage to reproductive organs and the pelvic area.

Identify and Treat Early to Avoid Complications

Younger sexually active women are at greatest risk for this disease. Infection causing this disease usually comes from chlamydia or gonorrhea. But the infections that create the condition may not be apparent for an extended time, as the nonspecific symptoms (pain, fever, discharge, bleeding) – while sometimes acute and severe – are often mild and sporadic. Ongoing inflammation may cause additional organ damage. Most patients do not realize they have pelvic inflammatory disease at the time they are diagnosed. The disease can sometimes bring on peritonitis or lead to abscess, which requires urgent treatment. Infection in pelvic inflammatory disease is treated with antibiotics.

If the patient receives aggressive treatment at an early stage, longer-term pelvic-inflammatory effects may be avoided. But inflammation of pelvic areas can cause scar tissue to form between and within the organs and connective tissue of the pelvis. This results in abnormal adhesions between structures, the stresses and pulling of which can result in ongoing pain (chronic pelvic pain) and functional problems, including infertility (see sidebar).

Successful Solutions Available

Lourdes gynecologists have extensive training and experience in diagnosing these inflammations and identifying their aftereffects, including using techniques of physical examination and blood testing. Evaluation may also include ultrasound, endometrial biopsy or laparoscopy.

The Lourdes team is skilled in the antibiotic or other medical treatments for this condition, including inpatient treatment for acute pelvic inflammatory disease. They can offer state-of-the-science, minimally invasive, robotic surgery to address any internal scarring that results and causes long-term symptoms.